Herbal Aromatherapy Home Study Program™
Curriculum Outline
Month 1
Orientation Module
Welcome to class!
How the classroom works
Course requirements
Preparing for month one
Scope of practice and code of ethics
Terms and agreements
Introduction to Herbal Aromatherapy
Welcome to month one
What is herbal aromatherapy?
Regulation of herbalism and aromatherapy
Sustainability in personal and professional practice
The importance of growing plants
Elements of a holistic wellness plan
Sourcing high quality products and ingredients
Storing herbs and herbal products
Growing herbs and the apothecary garden
The importance of organic
Herbal aromatherapy™ words to know
Safety Guidelines
Herbal aromatherapy guiding principles
Safety considerations based on the client’s age
Safety considerations for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
Safety considerations based on the client’s health
Safety considerations for clients taking medications
Ethical practice – your skill level and other considerations
Standard dosages and dilution rates
Month 2
Botany
Welcome to month two
Scientific names of plants
Plant families
Plant parts and characteristics
Plant identification
Wild harvesting basics
The Apothecary Garden
Planning your garden space
How to build garden beds
It all starts with seeds
Planting 101
Feeding and watering
Organic pest and disease management
Growing in containers
Growing indoors
Harvesting and drying
Growing medicinal and aromatic herbs
Soil and composting
Tools and resources
Month 3
Essential oils and aromatherapy
Welcome to month 3
Introduction to essential oils
How essential oils are gathered
The history and modern development of herbalism and aromatherapy
Essential oil quality, testing and standards
Methods of application for essential oils
Aromatherapy diffusers
Calculating essential oil dilution rates
Introduction to hydrosols
Introduction to blending theories
Month 4
Phytochemistry, part one
Introduction to phytochemistry
Approaches to essential oil chemistry
The best places to research individual constituents
Volatility and solubility
Why understanding phytochemistry is important
Monoterpene constituents
Monoterpenol constituents
Sesquiterpene constituents
Sesquiterpenol constituents
Ester constituents
Aldehyde constituents
Phenol constituents
Ketone constituents
Oxide constituents
Month 5
Phytochemistry, part two
Ether constituents
Lactone and coumarin constituents
Herbal constituents
Gums and resins
Tannins
Vitamins
Minerals
Lipids and saponins
Carbohydrates
Alkaloids
Month 6
Therapeutic applications: external
Layering theory and techniques
Infused oils
Massage oils and roll-on blends
Salves, balms and ointments
Butters
Creams and lotions
Poultices, compresses and fomentations
Liniments
Steams
Diffuser blends
Smelling salts and inhalers
Therapeutic bathing
Hand and foot baths
Soaks and scrubs
Month 7
Therapeutic applications: internal
Herbal teas
Herbal tinctures
Vinegars, shrubs and oxymels
Glycerites
Herbal capsules
Herbal syrups
Herbal honeys
Lozenges, pastilles, pills, balls and electuaries
Herbs as food
Flower essences
Month 8
Artisan distillation
Introduction to home distillation
Types of stills used to gather essential oils and hydrosols
Choosing and sourcing a still
Tools and accessories
Preparing your still
The distillation process
Separating hydrosols and essential oils
Distillation without a stillCleaning your still
Distillation equipment
Distilling outdoors
Stovetop distillation
Month 9
Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology: introduction to the human body
Introduction to AP&P
Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology defined
Basic building blocks
The Integumentary system
Structure of the integumentary system
Function of the integumentary system
Pathophysiology
Acne
Athlete’s foot
Bites and stings
Burns and sunburns
Cuts and scrapes
Contact dermatitis, eczema, and other skin ailments with non-viral rashes
Pruritis (itching)
Ringworm
Month 10
The Digestive System
Structure and function of the digestive system
Pathophysiology
Constipation
Diarrhea
Ulcers in the digestive system
Nausea and vomiting
Gas and bloating
IBS
IBD
GERD
Month 11
The Respiratory System
Structure and function of the respiratory system
Pathophysiology
Introduction to the principles of energetics
Colds, flus and common respiratory symptoms
Upper respiratory infections
Lower respiratory infections
Asthma
COPD and other lung ailments
Sars-Cov-2
Month 12
The Musculoskeletal System
Structure and function of the musculoskeletal system
Pathophysiology
Strains
Sprains
Bone fractures
Arthritis
Gout
Osteoporosis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Pain management
Month 13
The Nervous System
Structure and function of the nervous system
Pathophysiology
Anxiety
Insomnia
Stroke
Sciatica
Depression
Headaches
Month 14
The Immune System
Structure and function of the immune system
Pathophysiology
Balance in the immune system
Rheumatoid arthritis
A note on Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s disease
Psoriasis
CFIDS / CFS / ME
Sjogren’s syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome
Month 15
The Cardiovascular system
Structure and function of the cardiovascular system
Pathophysiolog
General heart health
Hypertension (HBP)
Cholesterol imbalance
Atherosclerosis / CAD
Angina
Other CVS issues
Month 16
The Endocrine System
Structure and function of the endocrine system
Hormones
Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
Hyperthyroidism and Graves disease
Type II Diabetes
Month 17
The Lymphatic System
Structure and function of the lymphatic system
Pathophysiology
Lymphedema
Mastitis
Tonsil health
Lymphadenitis and lymphadenopathy
Spleen health
Month 18
The Genito-Urinary System
Structure and function
Pathophysiology
Overactive bladder
Urinary incontinence
Urinary tract infections
Yeast infections
BPH
A note on supporting kidney health
Month 19
The Reproductive System
Structure and function
Pathophysiology
Menstruation
Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
PMS
Menopause
Endometriosis
PCOS
Uterine fibroids
Month 20
Emotions, Energetics and the Mind
Introduction to Systems of Energetics
The Six Tissue States
The Five Flavors
The Ten Tastes
Essential Oils and Energetics
Anger and irritability
Sadness, grief and trauma
Apathy and lack of motivation
Insecurity, lack of confidence and shame
Energetics charts
Month 21
The Art of Sustainable Business, Part One
An introduction to the business modules
Vision casting
Vision casting – financial
Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses
Growth strategies
Brand analysis and identity
Brand identity, continued
Crafting a business plan
Legal considerations
Websites
Email lists
Blogs
40+ blog post ideas to get you started
Month 22
The Art of Sustainable Business, Part Two
Finding your ideal customer
Creative marketing
Photography for business
Authentic social media
Money mindsets
Business blocks
Pricing your products and services
Productivity and efficiency
Selling handmade products
Working with clients
Sourcing for business owners
Sustainability and you
More resources for business owners
Month 23
Advanced blending theories
Wrapping up
Final Exam
Materia Medica (spread throughout the program)
Aloe
Angelica
Aniseed
Balsam Copaiba
Balsam Poplar
Basils
Bee Balms
Bergamot
Bergamot Mint
Black Pepper
Blue Tansy
Cajeput
Calendula
Cardamom
Carrot Seed
Catnip
Cayenne
Cedars
Celery Seed
Chamomiles
Cilantro / coriander
Cinnamon
Cistus
Citronella
Clary Sage
Clove
Cypress
Davana
Dill
Elder – flower and berry
Eucalyptuses
Fennel
Firs
Geranium
Ginger
Grapefruit
Helichrysums
Hops
Hyssop
Inula
Jasmine
Juniper Berry
Kunzea
Laurel (bay)
Lavenders
Lemon
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Lemongrasses
Lime
Linden
Marigold
Marjoram (Sweet)
Mastic
May Chang
Myrtles
Niaouli
Nutmeg
Orange, Neroli and Petitgrain
Oregano
Palmarosa
Patchouli
Peppermint
Pines
Plai
Plantain
Ravensara
Ravintsara
Rosalina
Roses
Rosemary
Sage
St. John’s Wort
Saro
Self Heal
Spruces
Tamala
Tangerine, mandarin and clementine
Tarragon
Tea Tree
Thymes
Tulsi
Turmeric
Valerian
Vetiver
Violet
Wintergreen
Yarrow
Ylang Ylang
Yuzu
Zanthoxylum
*Plant list and curriculum subject to change.*You will also be required to complete quizzes, assignments and hands-on activities, and course projects if you purchase the additional certification track.